How to Get websockets working with NestJS
In NestJS, using WebSocket typically involves working with libraries such as Socket.IO or ws alongside NestJS's abstraction layer for easy integration and maintenance. NestJS provides a module named that includes decorators and classes required for interacting with WebSocket.1. Install necessary packagesFirst, ensure that you have installed the module and the library (if you choose to use Socket.IO):2. Create GatewayIn NestJS, you can create a Gateway, which is a class decorated with , handling WebSocket connections. For example:In this example, the class uses the decorator to create a WebSocket server. We listen for the event and define a handler function to process received messages.3. Register Gateway in ModuleNext, you need to register this Gateway in a NestJS module:This way, the will be recognized by the NestJS framework and automatically start the WebSocket server upon application startup.4. Connect WebSocket ClientClients can use the library or other WebSocket client libraries to connect to the server:The above client-side code example demonstrates using to connect to the NestJS service and listen for the event. The client also sends a event to the server using .5. Using Advanced FeaturesThe NestJS WebSocket module also supports advanced features such as namespaces/rooms, exception filters, pipes, interceptors, and guards, enabling developers to build WebSocket applications with complex logic and security.For example, if you want to send messages only to clients in a specific room, you can do the following:In this example, we create event handlers for joining and leaving rooms, as well as a function to send messages to all clients in a specified room.By following these steps, you can set up and use WebSocket communication in NestJS. Of course, adjustments and optimizations may be needed based on the specific application context.